IT was checkmate last week when former uMhlathuze City Mayor Elphas Mbatha finally relented to political pressure and stepped down.
It was well within the right of the ruling party to execute change of municipal leadership, as it was their deployment in the first place.
It was, however, not a straightforward ousting and the public became privy to a war of words between regional political leaders.
Dirty laundry was hung up to dry during the heated political mudslinging and disturbing allegations of corruption and maladministration surfaced out of one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country.
As with any fledgling democracy, freedom of speech is widely accepted, so the blows between the respective parties came as no surprise. But a month has passed since the start of the political shake-up and what is needed now is stability.
Much has been said and done, but there is a job at hand.
Attempts by incoming Mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo to eradicate the problems of his predecessor will not be an overnight affair.
The new incumbent is more than capable of leading the municipality in the right direction, but must be given the space to provide oversight and governance without political interference and strife.
There is often ‘no smoke without fire’, so the allegations relating to tender irregularities and political manipulation of administrative municipal affairs cannot be blindly ignored. Leaders are accountable to the electorate, so efficient service delivery should be at the top of the agenda.
The fact that not a single toilet was built in a year owing to tender irregularities for a rural sanitation project, should not be taken lightly. Poor communities have been robbed of decent sanitation. With leadership comes responsibility and power should not be abused.
Do not underestimate the informed voting population.
A flurry of food parcel handovers, launches of new schools and sports facilities and clean-up campaigns in the run-up to the local government elections, will not do the trick.
It’s time for concrete results and provision of services of a high standard.
The days of securing tenders for cronies, accepting mediocrity and shoddy performance and misusing ratepayers’ money are over.
The voices of the voters will be heard loud and clear.
Power to the people!
